Just a brief note to acknowledge the profound effect Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who died yesterday, had on our “social networks.” Her “five stages of dying” gave us a way to incorporate dying people into our social world, rather than putting them behind literal and figurative closed doors. In a sense EKR made it ok to die.
I loved her last (or nearly) last words, as repeated by her daught: She was looking forward to dancing with the stars. Since we're all star stuff, that's a nice thought.
My brother-in-law, a dry wit, said to me yesterday. "You know that woman who wrote the book on death and dying?" "Yes?" "She died." I don't know why, but I thought that was as great a funny statement about her impact as some of the more profound statements.
There was a pretty good documentary made about her life that came to Germany recently -- "Looking death in the eye" by Stefan Haupt. ("Dem Tod ins Gesicht sehen") Worth seeing! (Not sure if there's an English subtitled version)
very sad...though oddly, i used ross's seminal work to describe the fall of hotbot.com just last month...it's up at:
http://www.passingnotes.com/index.php/on-death-and-dying-hotbot-wake-this-sunday-byob/
(walks through the five stages as they relate to hotbot)
4. Ursula Huwyler on August 31, 2004 5:01 PM writes...
I had the great chance to meet Elisabeth Kübler-Ross on one of her tours in Switzerland - and her personality impressed me deeply. To think that she is dancing through the galaxies is making me smile, and whenever I will look at the stars in the night, as well as I see St. Exuperies little prince, I will also see Elisabeth - dancing on the galaxies. She has given so much to us.
1. Glenn Fleishman on August 26, 2004 1:47 PM writes...
I loved her last (or nearly) last words, as repeated by her daught: She was looking forward to dancing with the stars. Since we're all star stuff, that's a nice thought.
My brother-in-law, a dry wit, said to me yesterday. "You know that woman who wrote the book on death and dying?" "Yes?" "She died." I don't know why, but I thought that was as great a funny statement about her impact as some of the more profound statements.
Permalink to Comment2. crankysysadmin on August 30, 2004 12:41 PM writes...
There was a pretty good documentary made about her life that came to Germany recently -- "Looking death in the eye" by Stefan Haupt. ("Dem Tod ins Gesicht sehen") Worth seeing! (Not sure if there's an English subtitled version)
Permalink to Comment3. dave on August 30, 2004 12:58 PM writes...
very sad...though oddly, i used ross's seminal work to describe the fall of hotbot.com just last month...it's up at:
Permalink to Commenthttp://www.passingnotes.com/index.php/on-death-and-dying-hotbot-wake-this-sunday-byob/
(walks through the five stages as they relate to hotbot)
4. Ursula Huwyler on August 31, 2004 5:01 PM writes...
I had the great chance to meet Elisabeth Kübler-Ross on one of her tours in Switzerland - and her personality impressed me deeply. To think that she is dancing through the galaxies is making me smile, and whenever I will look at the stars in the night, as well as I see St. Exuperies little prince, I will also see Elisabeth - dancing on the galaxies. She has given so much to us.
Permalink to Comment